4H HEL 70.
13
What is News?
News is factual information
about current events. News is
reported by a variety of
sources, such as
newspapers, magazines,
television shows, cable and
radio programs, Web sites,
email messages, and word of
mouth.
What makes an event worthy
of being in the news?
Journalists look for stories
that answer one or more
questions:
• When did the event happen?
• Where did the event occur?
• How many people were, are,
or will be affected?
• Is the information brand new?
• Was the event unusual?
1. News Article: An article about a
current event. This type of article
reports the facts of the event, with
no opinions of the reporter.
2. Feature Story: A longer, more
detailed story on a person, an
issue, or an event. This type of
article may use some creative
writing, making it more entertaining
to read.
In the News
Newspapers usually have several
sections. Below are some
examples and what you can find
in each one.
1. International: The International
section tells you about news in other
countries, such as Germany, Russia, or
Brazil.
2. Regional: The Regional section
covers events in your city and the
areas surrounding it.
3. Business: The Business section
includes local, state, national, and
international business news. Reports
on media, advertising, world business,
the local economy, or the stock
markets may appear in this section.
4. Science/Technology: The Science
and Technology section often focuses
on advances in medicine, space,
computers, agriculture, and cars. This
section may also cover environmental
news or technology updates.
There are many ways to report the news. Below are types of articles that
can be found in a newspaper and information on how each one is special.
3. Column: A piece of writing that
contains the writer’s personal
views on a topic. The column is a
regular feature of the newspaper,
but may not always be written by
the same person.
4. Editorial: An article in which
journalists give their opinion on an
important issue.
Headlines for Health: An Environmental Health Curriculum for Youth
5. Health: The Health section usually
contains information relating to human
health. There might be news about
fitness and nutrition, health care, and
mental health and behavior.
6. Sports: In the Sports section, you can
find out about baseball, basketball,
golf, soccer, tennis, football, and other
sports you enjoy watching.
7. Weather: The Weather section is
where you can find information about
the weather in your region and across
the world.
8. Editorial: The Editorial section
contains articles or statements that
express an opinion or point of view.
Letters to the editor, columns, and
political cartoons often appear in this
section.
5. Advertisement: A paid message
in magazines or newspapers
promoting products, store sales,
and business grand openings.
6. Graphics & Captions: Visual
elements (photos, clip art, graphs,
or cartoons) added to the text to
make it more interesting or
easier to understand.
Reviewed June 2015
 News Reporting

So, what is a NEWS ARTICLE?

It is an article about some current
event. This type of article reports
the facts of the event; the re- The structure of a news story is often called the "inverted pyramid."
porter does not include his/her That is because the main, and most important, point is contained in
opinions. You will need to the first sentence. The rest of the story contains elements of less
research your topic in order to
importance as the reader nears the bottom.
find out the facts.

Two major types of articles that

are in this category are: Look at the
organizer LEAD Sentence
1. General News Reports -
used for
these are shorter articles that writing Fea- Who, What, Where, When, Why, & How
report on the facts of recent ture Stories.
events, usually within a short
period of time.
Three details to include in your story
2. Investigative Reports - these
are longer and more detailed Can you find
articles that require more re- the inverted
search. These may show up in pyramid? Last Sentence
a newspaper in installments or
as a series of articles.

Investigative Reports are
different from General
News Reports.
1. These reports are longer
and much more detailed.
2. The reporters research the
topic in greater depth. They will:
• use computer databases
• conduct extensive interviews
• seek out and review piles of
documents
3. Gathering information usually
takes several weeks.
4. These reports often include data
from studies or research that has
been performed.
The first paragraph in a news article is called the LEAD. The lead must
summarize the basic facts of a story and convey to a reader what you are
reporting. But it is more than just the beginning of your story. The lead needs
to “catch” the reader's attention and make them want to read the rest of your
story.
The rest of the paragraphs are referred to as the BODY. The body of the
article supports the story told in the lead by including details such as facts,
examples, or quotes. The body should be organized so that it is easy to
read and understand.
And, finally, as with any good story, there should be an ENDING that is
short, direct, and memorable. You do not need to repeat everything from
the body of your article. Simply make a statement that “wraps up” your
thoughts on the topic.
Don’t forget to include GRAPHICS, which help make the
story more interesting and understandable.

Headlines for Health: An Environmental Health Curriculum for Youth


The HEADLINE describes the
main point of the story. It is usu-
ally in bold and in a larger font
than the story.
To write a headline:
• Keep it Simple -
A headline is a short, direct
sentence without extra
adjectives or adverbs.
• Give Information -
The headline tells your reader
what the article is about.
• News Now -
Be sure to use active voice
when writing your headlines.
The BODY is the main story.
• Answer Questions -
Remember to answer the
questions Who?, What?,
Where?, When?, Why? and
How? in the body of your
article. These answers give
your reader the most
important information about
your topic.
• Be Detailed -
Use specific details about the
topic. Details make your topic
easier to understand.
Anatomy of an Article
Ioning your way to cleaner clothes
By Julie Clothier for CNN
The BYLINE
Designers behind a washing machine that does not require water or detergent to tells who
wrote the
clean clothes say the idea could be a common household appliance one day.
story.
The idea is the brainchild of two Singaporean design students who won top honors at
the recent International Electrolux Design Lab awards in Stockholm for their "Airwash"
washing machine.
National University of Singapore industrial design students Gabriel Tan and Wendy
Chua's prototype uses negative ions, compressed air and anti-bacterial deodorants to
clean clothes.
GRAPHICS
The unit uses no water or detergents, and can be
help make
placed in any room of a home. Clothing is placed the story more
on a rack, which slides inside the device. informative or
interesting.
"It's a bit like a car wash," Tan told CNN. "The
clothing goes on a rack which is placed inside
the machine. The clothing then gets a good blast.
It's a substitute for taking items to the dry cleaner."
He said the cleaning process was much gentler on
The "Airwash" cleans
clothes than conventional methods, and was clothes without water
particularly useful for expensive clothing that could CAPTIONS
or detergent and can be give important
lose its shape and color through washing with water placed in any room of
information
and detergents. the home. about the
graphics in
By using atmospheric air and negative ions, a natural
the story. This
cleansing agent, it fights dirt and bacteria with nature's own weapon, he said. is sometimes
called a
The Airwash cleans one piece of clothing at a time, with each item taking between three
“cutline.”
and 12 minutes to complete the process.
"In a poetic sense, we are using nature's weapons, nature's cleansing agents, to solve a
problem," Tan said.
Chua told CNN that she and Tan had taken technology and processes commonly used in
air conditioning and air purifying units and adapted it for an alternative use.
At this stage the Airwash is a concept prototype but she believed it could one day
become a commercial reality.
"Our dream would be to see it on the market one day, not for personal pride, but because
we genuinely believe it will be good for the environment and have a positive impact on
the lives of people -- be it as a consumer product or as a replacement for today's
commercial dry cleaners."
Judges at the competition said the "Airwash" won the award because of: "its intuitive,
ecological and beautiful design. Airwash also does away with the expensive,
time-consuming task of going to the dry cleaner."
The competition is organized annually by the Electrolux Group and aims to encourage
students from around the world to design household appliances for the future.
This year, participants competed to create the most outstanding new appliance concept
for the home of 2020.
Headlines for Health: An Environmental Health Curriculum for Youth
 Writing a Feature Story

So, what is a FEATURE STORY? It may be...

1. a story about one person or a group (an athlete, an actor, a politician,
a team, a choir, or a school organization) This is a real-life Feature Story you can
2. an in-depth look at a current social issue (violence in American follow as an example when writing yours.
schools or eating disorders among teenagers)
3. a story giving background on a topic that’s in the news -- like a story
that explains how vaccines work and the history of their use.
A feature story is usually longer than a news story.
World's report on
global warming:
"Must try harder"
By Alister Doyle
You have been assigned to write Answer six questions: Who? HELSINKI, Nov 1, 2006 (Reuters) - More than
a FEATURE STORY for your What? Where? When? Why? & a decade after world leaders pledged to avert
newspaper. Before you start How? "dangerous" climate change, a report card on
writing, remember to: • Usually you answer these in the their efforts so far might read: "Must try harder".
first sentence of the story, which is
called the “lead.” Rising industrial emissions of greenhouse gases,
Collect information for your
acrimony between
stories. Do some research. Washington and
• Encyclopedias, dictionaries, or Be accurate.
many of its allies
other reliable sources are great • Using false information will cause
over policy and a
places to find facts. your readers to lose trust in what
you write. It is also against report this week that
• The Internet can be a valuable the world economy
source of information. Make journalism’s “Code of Ethics.”
risks a 1930s-style
sure you choose reliable sites Depression by failing to act are among reasons
that are up-to-date and give you Make stories interesting.
for gloom.
facts, not just someone’s opin- • Write creatively and answer
ion. questions that you think your Yet some see hope in widening concern that the
• Interview someone who knows readers might have about your use of fossil fuels is stoking global warming --
the topic you are writing about. subject. indicated by billions of dollars invested in "clean
coal", wind or solar energy or by campaigns to
get people to turn off unnecessary lights at home.

"Of course, we must try harder," said Finland's

Environment Minister Jan-Erik Enestam, whose
Plan your story following the organizer below: country holds the rotating presidency of the
European Union.

Lead Sentence "What we have in place at the moment is

nothing more than a very modest start," said
Who, What, Where, When, Why, & How Yvo de Boer, head of the United Nation's
Climate Change Secretariat in Bonn.

Even so, he added: "I think we've achieved a

Three details to include in your story great deal."...

Source:
Last Sentence http://www.reuters.com

Headlines for Health: An Environmental Health Curriculum for Youth

 Creating a Column

Column Corner
With Candy Kane

Dear Candy,
A column is a recurring piece or article in a newspaper,
magazine, or other news publication. My dog, Gator, made a mess all
over my mom’s favorite white
table cloth. There are HUGE
What makes a column different from other forms of muddy paw prints on the front
journalism is that it meets the following criteria: and the back. She wanted to
be able to use it for our
• It is a regular feature in the publication
Christmas party next week.
• It has a personality that is created by the author
I’ve been studying about safe
• It explicitly contains an opinion or point of view cleaning methods in school.
Do you know of any way we
A newspaper might have several types of columns. can get the dirt out without
Some provide factual information, like a home tips using harsh chemicals like
bleach?
column. Others provide readers with the opinions of
the writer, such as an entertainment review or a Sincerely,
general advice column. Dirty-Dog Dan
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Dan,
There are some great ways your
mom can save her tablecloth
without using harsh chemicals.
It depends on what type of
material the tablecloth is made
of.

You’ve been assigned to write a HEALTHY HOMES COLUMN for your
newspaper. Keep the tips below in mind while planning your column:
Columns usually take on the
personality of the writer. So be
creative!
The information in this column is
based on solutions that you
have tried out and have an
opinion on, or information that is
based on facts.
• Remember, you are giving
someone advice. Be a source
of reliable information.
You will need to have basic
information in order to answer
the questions. So you will need
to do research!
The normal format of advice
columns is question/answer.
• Usually someone asks a question
that the columnist answers.
(See samples in Column Corner)
• There are TWO parts of a column:
The QUESTION
1. Dear …(fill in your name)
2. The Question/Problem
3. Signed By…(whoever is asking
the question) Full names are usually
not used. Instead, the first name and
initial of the last name or a made-up
name may be used.
The ANSWER
1. Dear …(whoever is asking
the question)
2. The Answer
3. Signed By…(create your own pen
name)
If it is a natural material, like
cotton, she can use one of my
favorite methods. Boil the
tablecloth in water, adding a
little soap powder and fresh
lemon. Let it simmer for 10
minutes. The lemon acts like a
bleaching agent.
If her tablecloth is made from a
synthetic (or man-made)
material, then she should look
for a bleach at the store
containing the ingredient per-
carbonate. This ingredient
contains soda and oxygenated
water, so it is entirely natural.
Follow the directions on the
packaging to get you tablecloth
spotless.
I hope these tips will help you and
your mom fix Gator’s dirty
dilemma.
Best Wishes,
Candy Kane

Headlines for Health: An Environmental Health Curriculum for Youth

 Creating a Column - Part 2

At the Movies
With Movie Max

Dear Readers,
I went to see the latest sci-fi movie
“My Mom’s From Mars?”. This
Critics working for newspapers, magazines, or other publications review move stars two new actors:
movies, plays, restaurants, operas, ballets, music concerts, art shows, and A. Leon and Rock Kettoo-Moon.
other local entertainment events. Then critics share their opinions with The non-stop action of this movie
their readers. They might use a rating scale, like the one below, to grade had me on the edge of my space
the overall show or the actors in the show. seat throughout most of the 4
hours. Add that to the wonderful
alien/earthling humor, and I have
to give this movie 4 thumbs way
up!

If you haven’t already seen this

movie, I would definitely
recommend seeing it with
your favorite Martian mom.

Until the Next Flick,

Movie Max

Life Lessons
With Helpful Hilary
ADVICE COLUMNS offer advice to readers of the newspaper or magazine
regarding some personal problem. These columns are based on the writer’s Dear Helpful Hilary,
personal opinions. Usually, the writer has education and experience that
I am going to a new school this
makes the columnist a reliable source of advice. He or she may be a li- year and I am afraid I won’t find
censed doctor, a mental health therapist, or a psychologist. any friends. I had so many
friends at my old school. Do
Columns usually take on the you have any suggestions?
personality of the writer. Be Sincerely,
creative. Lonely Lucy
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The normal format of advice Dear Lonely Lucy,
columns is question/answer. I know that going to a new school
can be scary. It sounds like you
were able to build friendships
at your last school, which
means you must be someone
who attracts friends. Be
outgoing; smile when someone
smiles at you, and, most
important, be yourself.

Best Wishes,
Helpful Hilary

Headlines for Health: An Environmental Health Curriculum for Youth

 Creating an Editorial

Morning
An editorial is a statement or article by a news organization, newspaper
or magazine that expresses the opinion of the editor, editorial board, or Editorial
publisher. The topics covered by an editorial are usually current events or
public controversy. Often times readers contribute editorials or letters to the TODAY’S TOPIC: A New Time
editor to their local newspapers. for School to Start in the
Morning (7:00 a.m.)

POSITIVE
An EDITORIAL has 4 main parts: I think that it would be great
for school to start at 7:00 a.m.
• An opinion. Since school lasts for 7 hours
There is usually one simply stated sentence in an editorial that expresses each day, that means I would
the author's opinion. This sentence is similar to a topic sentence, since be able to get out of school by
2:00 in the afternoon. I would
the rest of the piece supports that opinion. have 2 more hours every after-
• Reasons for the opinions. noon to play soccer before I
The author must also have reasons for why he or she has that opinion had to do my homework and go
to bed. To make it easier for
about that specific topic. kids to change to the new time,
• Facts to support the opinions. the school should wait until
Many editorials supply facts on the issue at hand. The more facts you next year. This way, we have
the whole summer to sleep
have to support your opinions and reasons, the more accurate and credi- before we start school.
ble your editorial will be. -Early Bird Bobby
• Suggestions for dealing with the topic.
Another part of editorials are suggestions. Some authors not only have NEUTRAL
opinion on a subject, but they also have ideas for how to improve the Kids have always argued over
situation. what time school should start.
Some kids want school to start
earlier so they have more time
after school to do sports and
other fun activities. Other kids
like sleeping in the morning, so
Editorials usually have one of three positions: starting school earlier would be
difficult for them. Maybe the
school could just stay the time
NEUTRAL it is now, since everyone is
already on that schedule.
not taking sides -No Position Nancy

NEGATIVE
POSITIVE NEGATIVE
in strong support of a in strong opposition
particular topic/issue to a particular topic/
issue
I hate the idea of school start-
ing at 7:00 a.m. I already have a
hard time getting up in the
morning and then getting to
school by 8:30. My mom would
make me get up at 5:30 a.m.
Our rooster isn’t even up that
early! The school should make
two schedules so that kids who
want to sleep in can just come
in later.
-Sleep in Susanna

Headlines for Health: An Environmental Health Curriculum for Youth

 Using Graphics & Advertising

Graphics are visual elements

that are added to printed
information to make the
messages more interesting or
understandable. A graphic can Graphics are meant to enhance text, so be sure
be a photo, a drawing, or a you choose graphics that tell the same story as
piece of clip art that your article. You wouldn’t want to use a picture
represents the story. of a bluebird if you are writing an article about
It can also be a chart, bumblebees.
graph, or table that
shows data related to Also, try to show the heart of the story with the
the article’s topic. picture you choose to use. The picture can
answer a number of important questions (who,
what, when, where, why, and how).

Remember, they say “a picture is worth a

thousand words”.

Companies promote their products by advertising. Ads

are messages in magazines, newspapers, on radio
stations, or other media sources that encourage peo-
ple to use, buy, or become loyal to a specific product.
Advertisers want products to “stand out” in your mind
so they look for ways to attract your attention and get
you interested in buying their product

Massive amounts of mold infect local business’ attic. This

Theme: This is the ad's concept. It shows that the amount of mold growth could cause serious health
product has some functional, sensory, or problems for employees and patrons.

symbolic benefits for the reader.

Copy: This is the printed information of an ad.
Good copy should...
be interesting to read
capture the reader’s attention A caption is one or more sentences that
use simple words and phrases summarizes the importance of photos,
be believable drawings, charts, graphs, or tables.
Visual Cues: This is the graphic part of an ad.
Visual cues make an ad effective by... Captions identify the people in photographs and
attracting attention relate the photo or graphic item to the
communicating messages quickly surrounding body copy.
making information easier to remember

Headlines for Health: An Environmental Health Curriculum for Youth